A Plaid Cymru MS has called on the Labour Government to ensure that the poorest do not bear the brunt of cuts in the budget.

Peredur Owen Griffiths MS, who represents the South Wales East region, also highlighted to the First Minister the threat that households face from rising energy prices and permission being given to three major energy suppliers to restart involuntary prepayment meter installations.

Speaking in the Senedd, Peredur said: “Over the Christmas period, the Trussell Trust released figures that showed that Wales has the highest foodbank use of any UK nation; in fact, when the figures are broken down, you'll see that Wales has a higher foodbank use than any part of England.

“The increase in the numbers of people using the service in the last year is particularly stark.

“This has been followed by the news that EDF, Octopus and Scottish Power have been given permission to restart involuntary prepayment meter installations, just as energy prices rise.

“Can you ensure that you will do everything in your power, in your last weeks in office as First Minister, to ensure that the most vulnerable in society are not disproportionately affected by budget cuts or decisions taken in Westminster?”

In response, the First Minister acknowledged that the figures on foodbank usage were “stark” but added that they had tried to protect vulnerable people as much as possible in the budget.

If you want to support Plaid Cymru and Peredur, please click this link.